Mr Alamgir mentioned that the India-Bangladesh relationship would proceed to be sound.
Every week of fast-paced developments in Bangladesh, which noticed Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, widespread violence and the formation of an interim authorities, has been capped off with the nation’s chief justice agreeing to step down on Saturday. Whereas it’s unclear when elections can be held, what is for certain is that the Khaleda Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Occasion (BNP), one of many two massive political events within the nation, can be taking part in a key position in them.
Talking solely to NDTV on Saturday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the overall secretary of the BNP, mentioned that the stepping down of the chief justice was caused by scholar protests as a result of he was identified to be intently related to Ms Hasina’s regime, which “killed many individuals” within the nation.
Within the wide-ranging interview, Mr Alamgir mentioned that Ms Zia will lead the BNP within the elections if she is match sufficient to take action and that the get together would work to enhance the India-Bangladesh relationship if it involves energy. He mentioned that the assaults on Hindus within the nation had been a results of some individuals making an attempt to reap the benefits of the state of affairs and pressured that they weren’t a part of any “systematic agenda”.
The BNP chief additionally mentioned he believes that the Bangladesh military won’t intrude within the political course of going ahead and in addition claimed that no extremist components had been concerned within the protests.
Requested in regards to the chief justice stepping down, Mr Alamgir mentioned, “The chief justice is thought right here as an affiliate of the previous regime, which killed so many individuals on this nation and extraordinary, unprecedented corruption was completed throughout this era… So there was all the time a requirement for his removing. He was not precisely free, honest and impartial and that is why the demand was very excessive.”
“The judiciary in Bangladesh has completely been destroyed. It’s an establishment however, with the assistance of the final regime, it was completely politicised,” he added.
Election Timeframe?
Whereas Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has taken oath as the pinnacle of an interim authorities and is seen as standard among the many motion that led to Ms Hasina being ousted, the query on everybody’s thoughts is when elections can be held once more in Bangladesh.
When Mr Alamgir was requested about this and the position 78-year-old Khaleda Zia, who was launched from jail this week, would be capable of play within the elections, he mentioned, “She’s very sick. She’s within the hospital. She’s affected by multidisciplinary illnesses. Her therapy was not going effectively on this nation and we we requested the judiciary in addition to the federal government a number of instances to ship her overseas, however that did not occur… Medical doctors say she’s not match to journey proper now and we should watch for a while earlier than taking her exterior the nation. If she’s bodily match, she will certainly contest the election.”
The BNP chief mentioned that whereas his get together is prepared for polls at any level, the interim authorities would want extra time to conduct them.
“The whole election equipment has change into completely polluted and they aren’t ready to carry a free-and-fair election. In order that they should carry some reforms within the election system as effectively,” he mentioned.
Mr Alamgir additionally rubbished a declare made by Sheikh Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed, that the prime minister had not resigned, in addition to experiences that she was eliminated at gunpoint.
“The President himself, within the presence of political events and the military, mentioned she had resigned. There was no coercion or something… It was a revolution. When the mob of lakhs of individuals was transferring in direction of Ms Hasina’s residence, her safety forces and the armed forces informed her she had two decisions: keep right here and be mobbed or go away the nation. And, on the final second, she determined to depart the nation,”she mentioned.
Ties With India, Assaults On Minorities
Mr Alamgir emphasised that the India-Bangladesh relationship would proceed to be sound and mentioned the BNP would attempt to enhance it if it got here to energy.
When the chief was requested about assaults on minorities within the nation, together with Hindus, Buddhists and Christians, and whether or not there was a systemic assault, he mentioned, “This isn’t in any respect true. When there’s a change in our nation or any nation, particularly in third-world nations, there are some individuals who attempt to take benefit… In Bangladesh, sadly, with each revolution, leaders of the incumbent get together are victimised, whether or not they’re Muslims or Hindus. There could also be some sporadic assaults (on minorities) however it was under no circumstances a political or systematic agenda. By no means,” he mentioned, claiming that communal concord within the nation is “excellent”.
UN Involvement
When the BNP chief was requested whether or not there can be a vendetta in opposition to the supporters of Ms Hasina’s Occasion – the Awami League – or a purge of former military and cops seen as near her authorities, he mentioned that the United Nations has been requested to conduct an investigation.
“If anyone is discovered responsible of violating human rights, systematic killing of the opposition or enforced disappearances, naturally, their instances can be investigated and so they’ll be taken to job,” he mentioned.
Mr Alamgir additionally mentioned that he didn’t consider that there can be any interference from the military within the political course of going ahead.
“Individuals believe within the military that they’re the saviours of the nation. So I do not suppose they may do something which can go in opposition to the need of the individuals,” he mentioned.
Extremist Parts?
The violence within the nation has died right down to a big extent, Mr Alamgir mentioned, and sought to allay fears of extremist components being concerned within the motion in opposition to Ms Hasina’s rule.
“The Jamaat (Jamaat-e-Islami) shouldn’t be an extremist political get together, however there have been different extremist teams in Bangladesh and I do not consider they’re in existence now… Extremist components usually are not concerned (in protests) in any means. By no means. It’s completely (led by) college students and most of them are very progressive components. A few of the individuals main the motion are terribly gifted. I’m sure and I consider that this revolution will certainly succeed,” he added.
